Today's local news briefs from: Ulster County, Kingston, Highland

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Ulster probes website hacking

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Within hours after the Ulster County government website was hacked late last week, it was back online.

County Executive Michael Hein said the county's IT department got right on it when they learned the site was hacked, making it impossible for people to visit without their virus protection blocking it.

"When informed of the issue, they immediately followed normal protocol; it was up in a very short period of time and now it has been completed flushed from the system," Hein said. "They identified exactly what the virus is. Identifying truly where it ultimately comes from is a herculean task and oftentimes can take a significant amount of time."

The investigation is continuing into exactly where the virus originated that disabled the Ulster County website for several hours.

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Blood drive today in Kingston

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Benedictine Hospital Auditorium, 75 Mary's Ave., HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley announced.

To celebrate National Volunteer Blood Donor Month the American Red Cross is partnering with Dunkin' Donuts to provide a voucher for a free pound of coffee to all presenting donors during January. The vouchers are redeemable at all participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants.

All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To schedule an appointment, call (845) 334-4949. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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Bid opening today for bridge

HIGHLAND, N.Y. -- Bid opening for the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge redecking project will be at 2 p.m. today at the state Bridge Authority offices at the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

The redecking of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge south span is a three-year project to completely rebuild the deck of this bridge. The project is estimated at approximately $80 million and will create several hundred jobs directly and through related activities.

Following the public bid opening, the Bridge Authority engineers will conduct a thorough review of the low bid over the coming days and make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners of the Authority.

A final determination to award the project is expected to be considered by the Board of Commissioners at its Jan. 31 meeting.